l ns tructions for Using Thc Underwood Ty pewritcr 1

INDEX

Introductory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
lllustralio11s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
To Unpack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
The )forginal Stops............................... 4
ln!lertiou of Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Writing-Liue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Paper Release Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Beginning a Xew Line............................. 6
Regulating Space between Lines.................... 6
Regulating Space between Words......... . ......... 6
The Curriage Release Keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The Capital Sbift Key............................ 7
Writing 011 Ruled Lines........................... 8
Right Marginal Release Key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Left :Marginal Release Key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
A utoma tic Ribbon Reverse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Bichr-0me Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Cbanging Ribbons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
New Ribbons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Tabular Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l1
Tabular Stops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Back Space Key ........ .'. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Tho Centering Scale, Plate 8...................... l~
Making Corrections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
The Envelope Guide.............................. H
Varying 'Vidths of Paper. . .. .. .. .. ............... 1+
Stencil Cutting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Cleaning )!achine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Cleaning thc Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Oiling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
What Not to Do........... . .. . ... . ............... 15
2 lnstructions for Usiog The Underwood T y pewriter

Instructions for Using

.
The U nderwood Typewriter

Models 3, 4 and 5

The object of this book is to give plain and simple

directions for· the opera tion of the mechanical features
of the Underwood Typewriter.

First, it is not intended to give information that will

enable tbe operator to take the machine apart.

Taking a typewriter apart by one inexperienced is the

greatest possible detriment to tbe machine.

It is most important that the macbine 1be kept clean.

It is necessary that tbe machine be oiled only as re-

quired-the back way rod (Plate 1, Fig. 1, and Plate 3,
Fig. 1) daily. Too mucb oil, bowever, is as injurious as
too little.
 lnstructioos for Using The Undcrn ocd Typewriter 3

ILLUSTRATIONS

As an aid to a quick and tborougb understanding of

lhe I nstruction'> for l'!>in!{ the l" ndl'nrnod T ypewriter. thrce
full views of the machine are gi\·en, with fh·e additional
illustr ations of portions of the machine not clearly visible in
the general views.
Page
Plate l . A síde view of the machi1w . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Plate 2. A front view of the maeltiuc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Plate 3. A rear view of the nwrhinc................. 7
Plate 4. The Line Spacing }lcclwnís111............... 8
Illustrating C'hange of Ribbons. . . . . . .............. 9, 10
Plate 7. Showini.r the Bml of t be ni hlion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Plate 8. Sbowing Centering: Sra le ........ ............ 13

' 12 7

PLATE
4 Instr uctions lor Using The Undcrwood T ypewriter

1'o Dtipack.

Removc thc screws from around tbe edge of thc bottom

of the case. Lift the bottom of the case, to which tbe ruacbiue
is attacbed, from the case. Then take out tbe four bolts
wbich hol<l the marbine; after whic·h remoYe the iron skid:;;
the rnbber feet. wbieh will be íoun<l in a small packa~e uuder
the rubber eo,·er. shoul<l tben hP screwed to the macbine.
Cut thc tape holding thc C:1rría(!e. Locking D e' iee.
Bac·k Spac·<•r anrl Carriage H elt•n.,<'.

1'he ,JJarginal Stops.

The ~Iarginal Stops (Plate 1, Figs. 2 and 3, Plate 2,

Figs. 1 and :.!) are in front in tbe most natural and convenient
position. \\'ben the machinc is unpacked tbey will be found
pnshed to the center of tbe Scale (Pinte 1, Fig. 4).
These Stops can be moved to any desired poisition by
means of the handle, which is so coustructed that by pinching
tbe two parls of the handle togelher the Stop is discngagcd
from the raek which holds it in position, allowing it to be
moved freely in either direction. Before beginning to write
they should be separated and pushcd to the ends of the Scale.
The Ri~ht-haud )farginal Stop regulates the margin on
the left side of the paper.
Tbe Left hand l\Iarginal Stop r egulates tbe margin on
the iight side of the paper.
The hell will ring six spacos hefore tbe point at which
tbe Left-lrnnil J\larginal Stop i!; set, and when the Indicator
(Plate 1, Fig. 5, aml Plate 2, Fig. 3) reaches the Marginal
Stop (Plate 1, Fig. 2). the Type-bars will lock, thus ending
the line positively without piling letters.

lllsertio11 o/ l'aver.
Drop tho paper upon the Paper-rest (Plate 1, Fig. 6) as
nearly as possiblo in the center of the Cylinder.
Place the lower edge of the paper close down to tbe
Cylinder (Plate 1, Fíg. 7) and turn the Cylinder from you
 Instructions for Using The Underwood Typewriter 5

by either one of tbe Cylinder Knobs (Plate 1, Fig. 8, and

Plate 2, fig. -1-) until the position of the paper upon wbicb
you desire to write has been reacbed.
TV riting Line.
The wriling position upon the paper is <letermined by
sigbt. The line of writing is just above and parallel witb
the Cylinder Scale (Plate 1, Fig. 9, Plate 5, Figs. 1 and 2).
Each impression is made directly bchind the notch in
tbe Type Guide (Plate 5, Fig. 3) through which each Type-bar
passes on its way to the Cylinder.
1'he Paper Release Key.
By depressing the Paper Release Key (Plate 1, Fig. 10,
Plate 2, Fig. 5) the pressure will be relieved from tbe Fecd
Rolls, thus allowing the frpe use of both hands for the adjust-

PLATE 2
6 lnstructions for Usin g The Underwood Typewriter

ment of the paper. When the paper is adjusted always return

the Release Key to its normal position before writing. II it
is desired simply to relieve the pressure from the paper for
a minor adjustment this can be done by resting the side of
the right band on the Paper Release Key. \\ben the hand is
removed the key will spring back and the Feed Rolls will
again engage tbe paper.

Beginning a N ew Line. d
To begin a new line, push the Carriage to the right as
far as it will go, by the Line Space Lever {Plate 1, Fig. 11,
and Plate 4, Fig. 1) which is on the left side of the Carriage
in front.
The space between lines is made autornatically when tbe
Carriage is returned by the Line Space Lever.. If ít is not
desired to change the line wben returning the Carriage use
tbe haudle or tbumb-piece {Plate 1, Fig. 12, and Plate 3,
Fig. 2) on the right side of tbe Carriage.

ReguZating Space B etween Lines.

When lhe Line Space Adjusting Lever (Plate 2, Fig. 6,
and Plate 4, Fig. 2) is set at 1 on the plate, tbe use of the Line
Space Lever will automalically make a single space; if at 2
a double space, and at 3, three spaces.

Regulating Space Between Words.

The Space Bar (Plate 1, Fig. 13, and Plate 2, Fig. 7)
is the long bar extending across the front of tbe keyboard.
The Space Bar is depressed once after each word and
punctuation mark except at the end of a sentence, when two
spaces are made.
The Carriage ReZease l\.eys.
The Right-hand Carriagc Release Key (Plate 1, Fig. 14)
exten<ls from Uie upper rigbt side of the Carriagc in front of
the Cylinder Knob, in tbe most conveoient position.
 lnstructions for Using Thc Underwood T ypewriter 7

To movc tbe Carriagc to Uie left, piare lhc right thumb

against the handle or lhumb-piece (Piule 1, Fig. 12, and
Plate 3, Fig. 2) on the ri.i:tht i;;ide of th.:: Carriage, an 1 <leprcss
the Carriage Release Key with one of the fingers of the
right ban<l.
The Lcft-hand Carriage Release Kcy (Plate 2, Fig. 8,
Plate 3, l<'ig. 3, and Plalc 4, Fig. 4), exlcncls from lhc upper
left-band sidc of the Carriagc in front of lhe Cylinder Knob.
To move the Carriage to tite left. deprC~!o; this key wilh the
index finger of the left h:md, holding the Carriage stcady
with the thumb and second ftnger.

The Capital Shift Key.

Tbe Shift Keys on either side (Plate 2, Figs. 9 and 10)
are for use in making Capitals. Wben a Capital is requircd
depress eithcr of tbe Shift Keys, releasing them immediately
after the letter has been printed .

PLATE 3
8 lnstructions for Using The Underwood Typewriter

If it is desired to write a wholc sentence in Capitals

deprcss the Shift Key Lock (Plate 2, Fig. 11) after which de-
press the Right Shift Key. To return to lower case letters
touch either tbe Left Shift Key or the Shift Key Lock.
In touch typewriting, where botb shift keys are required
for writing Capitals, the Sbift Key Lock sbould be kept up
in its normal position, when either Shift Key may be used
for a sin¡i:le Capital.

W riting oii Ruled Lines.

To write on rulccl lines pull the Cylinder Ratcbet Rclcasc,
baclc of thc Left-hand Cylinder Knob (Pinte 3, Fig. 4, and
Plate 4, I<'ig. 3) up as far as it wilJ come and turn thc paper
to the dcsired position by means of either of the Cylinder
Knobs. The lines. you will understand, sbould be just even
witb the top of the Cylinder Scale.
When regular work is being done the Cylindcr Ratchet
Release shoukl be pnshed down to its normal pol'lition and
the Linc Spare Le,er uscd for turning the regulation lines.

Right Marginal Release Key.

Thc Rigbt -;\farginal Release Kcy (Plate 2, Fig. 12) is
in froni of the extrrme right of thc Carriage.
" 'hen it is desired lo write outside of the 1Iar~in on the
 Instru<'tior:s for Usi ng Tbe U nderwood T ypewriter 9

left side of tbe paper, depress the right· side Marginal Re-
lease Key, wllich will permit the free movement of the Car-
riage beyond the Marginal Stop.

Left Jlargi11al Release Key.

The Left ::Marginal Helease Key (Plate 1, Fig. 15, and
Plate ~- Fig. 13) extends from the front of the main frame
on the left side.
\Yhen i t is dcsired to write additional characters beyond
ih<' Line-lock or Lcft :Marginal Stop prcss this key (it is not
nc1•essary to hold it) which will unlock thc keys and permil
the writing of additional characters. \\hcn the keys lock
again c;till another rhararter may be written hy pressing thi>1
Rt'lea:se Key a !'>t'cond time.

.A. utomatic Ribbon Reverse.

'l'he Ribbon R everse is automatic, but may be rcverse<l
by hand by pushing tbc Ribbon Spool Hatchct Wbeel (Platc 1,
l<'ig. 16) eithcr to the right or Ieft, as ibc case may require.
The Ribbon may be wonnd on ont' Spool by meaos of
thc handle on the Ribbon Spool Ratcht't \\11eel. Jf you are
winding from the right-hand Spool to the left. the whccl
!'hould be pre>;c;erl to the left. If winding from the left-hand
Spool to the righi, lhc wheel must be hcl<'I firmly to the r ight.
10 Instructions for Using The Underwood Typewriter

Bichrorne Device.
The Shift-keys controlling the Bicbrome Ribbon (Plate 1,
Fig. 17, and Plate 2, Fig. 14) are at the right in front of the
machine, just above the keyboai,d. By depressing the left-
hand key the color on the upper half of the Ribbon may be
used. By depressing the right-band key the color on the lower
half of the ribbon is ready for use.

Ohan.ging Ribbons.
Place the Carriage in a central position, pull down the
Shift Key Lock (Plate 2, Fig. 11) and depress the Right
Shift Key. \Vind the Ribbon all on one Spool, remove the
Spoo1s from tbe Cups and the Ribbon from the Ribbon Guide
(Plate 5, Fig. 4) . Detach the Ribbon from the empty spool
and attach the end of tbe new Ribbon by tbe hook (Plate 7,
Fig. 1), with which all Ribbons purchased from the Under-
wood Typewriter Company are equipped, to the empty Spool.
Wind the Ribbon around tbe empty Spool a few times, until
the eyelet (Plate 7, Fig. 2) reaches the hub, being sure that
the Ribbon feeds to the front on both Spools, as shown in
Plate 6.
Place the Spools in the Cups, pass the Ribbon through
the slots in the Cups, in front of the rollers and through the
reversing levers (Plate 5, Figs. 5 and 6) being careful, of
course, that the eyelet is inside the Cup and reversing lever
as shown in Plate 5, Fig. 7. This is done by taking hold of
the handles (Plate 5, Figs. 8 and 9) extending from the sides
of the Ribbon Cups, and drawing them towards you, thus

Pi.ATE 6
 lMtrucr1ons for Using The U nderwood T ypewrite r 11

throwing ti.te ro:Icrs nu<l automalic revcn;iug levers into such

n position lLat llie fübbon can be inscrlccl ensily. Care must
be taken wileu placing lhe Spools in lhe C'ups to see that the
pins in tbe boltom of tbe Cups enter lhc boles in tbe Ribbon
::>pool bubs.
Place tbe Ribbon back of the Ribbon Guide (Plate 5,
Fig..l-) then brin~ it forward in froul of the pins in lhe
Ribbou Guide, making n small loop in lhc Ribbon and pushing
it down in the opcning in each si<le of the Guide (Pinte 5,
J!'igs. 10 and 11).

2
PI.ATE 7
~ 1

New Ribbons.
Goocl work can only be sec:ured by using the very best
Ribbons, e"enly inked e.nd of the proper lcx\ure. The famous
"Unclerwood Ribbous," manufacturecl by John Underwood
& Co., :Xew York, for ali makes of machines, will give the
most satisfactory resulls. The quality of tbe Unden~ood
Ribbons, manufacture<l expressly for use on the Un<lerwood
Typewriter, is guarunteed by the manufacturers of the mn-
chine. Tbey are supplied on regular Ribbon Spools which are
also made expressly for the machine and fit accurately.
1'he Dn<lerwood Ribbons are sold by ali local dealers in
the Underwood Typewr iter.

The Tabular Key.

The Tabular Key (Pinte 2, Fig. 15) is not operated in
the same manner ns lhe other keys. In olher words it should
be pressed down nnd held firmly until the Carriage has
r eached the Tabular Stop, when it can be released.
The movement of the Carriage is govcrned by an .A u to-
ma tic Friction Brake in lbe form of n leather cushion with
wbich the Tabular Frame (Plate 3, Figs. 5 and 6) comes in
<iontact when the T abular "Key is dep ressed. It will be ob-
12 lnstructions for Using The Underwood Typewritcr

served, therefore, that the harder the Tabular Ke.:r is de-

pressed the slower will be tbe action of the Carriage.
The Tabular Stops.
Tbe Tabular Stops (Plate 3, .I<~ig. 7) are at tbe back of
the machine, on the rod of the Tabular Frame. Tbe Scale
of tbe Tabular Frame (Plate 3, Fig. 8) is graduated to cor-
respond with the Front Scale (Plate 1, Fig. 4, and Plate 2,
Fig. 16) of the macbine, and when lhe Tabular Stops are set
at a given point on the Tabular Scale the Carriage will stop
at a corresponding position on tbe Front Scale.
For example, if it is desired to stop the Carriage at 45
on the Front Scale set one of the Tabular Stops at 45 on tbe
Tabular Scale and depress the Tabular Key. These Stops
can be set at any desired point by pulling them back out of tbe
teeth of the 'fabular Rack, when they can be pushed freely
in either direction and reset at the position desired. Be &ure
that the Stop and Rack mesh tightly.
If it is not desired to use these Stops throw tbem back
out of tbe teelh of tbe Tabular Rack.
In adjusting these Stops the beginner should bold the
Carriage witb one band to prevent it jumping if the rack is
pressed in.
For Billi:lg or special form work the machine can be
eqnipped with auy nnmber of Stops deaired.
Back Space Key.
The Back 8pace Key is at thc upper left-hand i;ide of
tbc keyboanl (Pinte l, Fig. 18, and Piule 2, Fig. 17).
By dcprcssi ng t his kcy thc Carriage is moved to the right,
or back, one apace.
1'he Ge11teri11g Scale, Plate 8.
The Centering 8c•:ile is designed for cenlering Ileadings,
etc., on the paper. lt'or examplc. lo ccnter the words
UNDERWOOD TYPEWRITER
proceed as follows:
Insert the paper as near the center of the Cylin<ler as
possible, with tbe Carriage Pointer or Scale Indicator at
zero (0). Space, by means of the Space Bar, once for <>nch
cbaracter and space in the words of the Heading, after wbicb
operation the lndi<'ator '"ill be at 30. in the example, on the
 Instructions for Usiog The Underwood Typewriter 13

Ceotering or lower (red) Scale; then move the Carriage until

the Indicator is at 30 on the regular or upper (white) Scale,
when the writing point is in position to place the Heading in
the center o.f the page.
The foregoing illustration is for Pica type, or an 80
Scale Machine. \Vhen using Elite type ora 96 Scale Machine1
the general process is the same, but tbe figures will di:ffer.
After spacing out the words as described above, the Indicator
will stand at 20 on tbe upper (white) Scale and 38 on the
lower (red) Scale. The Indicator should then be set at 38
on lhe upper (white) Scale, which will be the positi·on for
writing the Heading in the center of the page.
Shoulrl the number of spaces in a Heading end with th~
Indicator between spaces on the lower (red} Scale, space once
more, and move tbe carriage until tbe lndicator is at tbe
corresponding number on the upper (white) Scale.

• 8 o 1 ~1~· 1111111 ~o 1 I'" 1 1 1 1 f

, . ~-
,-,-5 1
,,8-,- ,,.-1, - o-,-,
11 11
3-,--,8--~g- <lO.

PLATE 8-CENTERINC SCALE

Making Corrections.
Ir a Jetter is struck too lightly or omitted and the omis-
sion is discovered before the paper is removed, return tlte
paper to the printing point witlt tlte blank space behind the
slot in the 'l'ype Guide, and insert the cbaracter.
I.f it is necessary to make an erasure tnrn the paper for-
ward a few spaces by means of the Cylinder Knobs, tbus
bringing tbe line in a more convenient posítion on top of tbe
Cylinder. After the erasure has been made brush or blow
the erasings back off the macbine. Return the paper to tbe
proper position and correct as above.
If tbe correction is made after the paper has been re·
moved from the machine re-insert it, raise the Cylinder
Ratchet Release and roll the paper upward by means of thr
Cylinder Knobs until tbe line of writing appears jnst above
tbe Cylinder Scale. Depress the Paper Release Key and adjust
the paper uutil it is parallel with the Cylinder Scale and the
centers of the printed letters come just above tbe lines on tbe
Cylinder Scale, when tbe correction can be made accnrately.
Of cour¡;e, r:ll'e 11111¡;t be taken to J'eturn the Paper Releai:;e
Key to its normal position.
H Instructions for Usiog The Underwood Typewriter

The Envelope Guide.

The Envelope Guide (Plate 3, Fig. 9) is just back of
the Scale In<li<'nlor. WlJen its use is desired simply turn it
around to the Cylinder.
In inserting cards or envelopes when using the Envelope
Guide care should be taken to direct them properly behind
the Guide. \Ye ha\'e devices and attachments to meet any
requirement for card writing.
Although tbe Envelope Guide does not obstruct the view
of the work il is advisable to turn it back out of the way when
eards or envelopes are not being used. It may be turned in
either direction.
Varying Tfidths of Paper.
Tbe Carringe of tbe Nos. 4 and 5 models will take paper
10 1-2 inches in width, while tbe various lengtbs of the No. 3
Carriage will accommodate paper 12, 14, 161 18, 20 and 26
incbes wide.
If a narrow or note sized paper is used move tbe Paper
Finger s (Plate 2, I•'igs. 18 and 19, Plate 3, Figs. 10 and 11)
to either elige of tite paper, adjust the marginal stops (Plato 1,
Figs. 2 and :l. Plall• :?. Figs. 1 and 2) and proceed as if writing
on regular sizcd papel'.
Stencil Cutting.
To cut a Duplicator Stencil the type should first be thor-
oughly cleaned. 'l'lie Ribbon must be thrown out of commis-
sion. To do this the small lever (Pinte 2, Fig. 20) should be
pusbed to the left, thus disengaging the Ribbon Throw, when
tbe type wilJ strike tbe Stencil Paper direct. To resume writ-
ing with the Ribbon throw this lever back to the right.
(Full allfl eo111plete t.lirection;; for making Stencil!'l ac-
company ead1 ])uplkator outfit 01· package oC Uutlcrwood
Stencil Paper.)
Cleaning Machine.
The Typewriter should be thoroughly cleaned daily be-
 lnstructions for Using Thc U nd crwood T ypewritcr 15

forc beginning operation. E-.pt•dal (·art• -.houlcl be gi,·en to

kccp:ng the back ro<l dcan and the Carriagc Shill R ail
undcrncath thc c:enter of thc Carriagt\ and on whid1 it rieles.
Brush the dust off, clcan tbe rods and type thoroughly.
To clean tbe machine <lraw thc Carriage to the left and
brush dust from right sidc of rnachine back of type-bar con-
ncctions. R epeat t be same operation on the other side.
The enamel and nickeled parts should be polished occa-
sionally witb chamois skin.
\\'hen not in use keep the machine covered.

Cleaning the 1'ype.

The Type are "ery acccssible and should be kept clean at
ali time:-. Use a stiff bru"b such ª"
is furnished with the
machine, always brushing toward you.

Oiling.
After cleaning the machiue thorougbly such parts as r e-
qui re il should be oiled.
Us<' only the Yery best oil, prcfcrably tbe Underwood Oil
furnished by this Company.
Wipe off ali superfluous oil except at tbe exact spot whe re
friction is lia ble.
Superfluous oil catches dui;t and sucb accumulations r e-
tard the fr<'e nction of the machi 11<'.
T he luH'k rod especially !<honld be kept moist with oíl

What Not to Do.

In tite C'Hre of your machine wbat not to do is qui te as
impo rtanl a!\ whnt to do.
no not take the macbine apurt.
Oo not remove tbe carria~e.
Do not oil tbe type bar bearings.
Do not loosen tbe scr ews.
Do not chnn~e tbe ndjustments.
Do not allow others to do these " Do Nots."
(